Merrill board approves calendar, girls hockey co‑op, contracts, donations and a facility study
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Summary
At its Dec. 17 meeting the Merrill Area School District board approved the 2026–27 school calendar, renewal of a girls hockey co‑op, multiple program contracts and donations, and authorized a $12,000 facility study for Prairie River Middle School; the board later moved into closed session to discuss personnel evaluations.
The Merrill Area School District Board of Education approved a package of routine business on Dec. 17, 2025, including the 2026–27 school calendar, the renewal of a multi‑district girls ice hockey co‑op, multiple contracts and several community donations. The board concluded open session business by moving into closed executive session for administrator evaluations.
Trustees approved the renewal of the 2026–28 WIAA girls ice hockey co‑op that includes BC Everest, Mosony, Wausau East, Wausau West, Merrill and Stratford; the motion, made by John Smith and seconded by Paul Pruett, carried by voice vote recorded as 7‑0.
The board approved the preliminary 2026–27 school calendar on a motion by Mike; Paul seconded and the calendar was approved by voice vote. The district also approved the MAPS 4K contract for 2026–27, moved by Nubs Ashback and seconded by Amber Derizo.
On facilities and planning, the board hired CISA 10 to perform a facility study for Prairie River Middle School. The fee for that study was listed at $12,000 and will be charged to fund 26; the item was presented as part of long‑range planning work.
Community donations approved included a 2014 Ford Explorer valued at $3,000 from Bremer Merrill Ford to the Merrill High School automotive program and a $5,000 gift from Laura Lucier Lee and Eric Lee designated for the School Forest. The consent agenda passed and included claims vouchers and receipts totaling $3,342,818.89 and donations totaling $31,889.86; the consent motion carried with one abstention noted.
Before adjourning open session, the board approved adding two Special Olympics coaches for fall and winter and accepted routine curriculum and EL plan updates. The meeting ended with a motion to enter closed executive session under Wisconsin statutes to discuss employment and evaluation matters for administrators; roll call recorded unanimous agreement to enter closed session.
Most approvals were by voice vote; where a numerical tally was recorded the girls hockey co‑op renewal was 7‑0 in favor.